Everything Worth Doing Is on The Other Side of Fear

My heart was jumping. My head was cloudy. I had my hand on the key to the ignition. I was about to start a 4-month long road trip. By myself.

The last vacation I took lasted one week.

Here I was, with all my belongings in the trunk, about to do something I was scared shitless of.

The first thirty minutes were surreal. I debated turning back. I debated cancelling the whole damn thing. But I already bought all my accommodations. There was no turning back.

Here are a few pictures I took on my journey — pictures that would never exist if I didn’t keep driving.

It goes without saying I had the most amazing four months of my life. I traveled to 23 states, drove 13,000 miles, and saw a buffalo from fifty feet away.

Sometimes I think about who I’d be if I never went on that trip.

I grew up. I made so many friends. I found out my purpose on this earth is to be a bridge between two different people. I want to use the power of words to encourage those around me and bring us all together a little bit more.

Given this whole story, I’m a huge proponent of doing things you’re afraid of. I was super scared because I didn’t know a soul in New Orleans. I thought I’d be lonely, but I ended up meeting people! I ended up meeting people in every city I went to.

It takes time. There is a little bit of discomfort and awkwardness at first — but you learn how to deal with it.

You’ll eventually come to a point in your life where you’re given a choice between something you’re afraid of and something that’s comfortable. I hope you choose the first option, because whenever I’ve done the same, I gained a new perspective on myself, those around me, and the world. One simple decision is more valuable than gold.